In the News

(NEWSER) – The risks of taking opioid painkillers during pregnancy aren't fully understood but that hasn't stopped doctors prescribing them for large numbers of pregnant women, an alarming new study in Obstetrics and Gynecology finds. Some 23% of Medicaid-enrolled pregnant women were prescribed opioids like codeine and hydrocodone in 2007, up from 18.5% in 2000, researchers say.

Middlesex County Acting Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief John Zebrowski of the Sayreville Police Department announced today that law enforcement agencies within the county are stepping up efforts to alert parents about the growing sale and use of the illegal drug, “Molly,” at promoted events, particularly “Glow parties.” Such an event is being hosted by a Sayreville nightclub on April 12, 2014.

With heroin use rising across the U.S., Associated Press queried state health departments, medical examiner’s offices and law enforcement agencies across the nation for statistics related to use, overdoses and treatment to obtain a more detailed picture of the problem on the ground.

Chris Herren is a former college basketball star who played in the National Basketball Association with the Boston Celtics in 2000 – 2001, but whose path to stardom was blocked by years of substance abuse.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, in conjunction with Actavis, unveiled a Americvan Medicine Chest Rx Drop Box in Secaucus. The box is located in the lobby of the Secaucus Police Department at 1203 Patterson Plank Road.

BRICK — Police officers and first responders in Ocean and Monmouth counties will begin carrying naloxone, a drug that can counter the effects of an opiate overdose, Gov. Chris Christie said today as New Jersey continues its years-long battle against a heroin and prescription pill epidemic that has resulted in hundreds of deaths.

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved an emergency drug overdose treatment for use in homes and other community settings outside hospitals. Federal regulators said that the treatment, an injector filled with a medication that reverses the effects of an overdose, can fit in a pocket or medicine cabinet, and could help stem the rising number of drug overdoses.